Events Calendar

February 26, 2013 -
February 27, 2013

Description: What can Medieval Spain teach us about religious coexistence? Albert Hernández, Iliff’s interim president and associate professor of the history of Christianity, delivers Methodist Theological Seminary in Ohio’s (MTSO) 2013 Williams Institute lectures.

While the modern world struggles with tensions between major religions, Hernández believes Medieval Spain offers a legacy worth exploring. He will lead the Williams Institute at MTSO.

Under the theme “Lessons from Medieval Spain: Religion’s Power to Unite or Divide,” Hernández will present two lectures in two days: “The Tragedy of Andalucía: A Lost Legacy of Coexisting Religions” and “Nationalism and Memory: Casting Religions as Neighbor or Foe.” Both lectures will be in the Alford Centrum on the MTSO campus. Lectures are free and open to the public. No registration is necessary.

Medieval Spain was a place where Muslims, Jews and Christians lived together and prospered for over eight centuries on European soil. In modern times of conflict around the world, Hernández finds Medieval Spain’s achievements and rich legacies of learning, scientific advancement and creative coexistence instructive. He believes they provide an important and alternative vision of the three Abrahamic religions working together in the social and religious arenas for collective human flourishing and mutual edification. MTSO’s Williams Institute was begun in 1981 to honor the late Dr. Ronald L. Williams, professor of theology from 1971 until his death in 1981. The institute has featured speakers from many backgrounds, including theologians, ethicists, poets, biblical scholars, historians, pastoral psychologists and Christian educators.